La Crosse Walking Loop

I started this walking loop at the Hoeschler Tower on the campus of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. This is located at 43.815N & -91.230W. You’d want to continue heading east along Pine Street walking in the direction of Grandad Bluff. There’s an intersection at 43.815N & - 91.225W with Campbell Road and 21st Street North. You’d want to continue walking east along Pine Street.
Pine Street intersects many streets perpendicularly so just continue walking east. You’ll take Losey Boulevard walking south at 43.815N & -91.219W. Losey Boulevard is usually very busy, but the walking is okay. There are several major road crossings along the way, and one should ensure that drivers come to a complete stop before crossing. They sometimes pretend that they don’t see you and go along their way even though they are legally required to stop. Some even smile at you as they break the law!
You’d turn right heading west along State Road at 43.797N & -91.220W. That road becomes the 84th Division Railsplitters Memorial Highway and intersects with Jackson Street at 43.801N & - 91.228W. Continue heading west crossing West Avenue at 43.801N & -91.239W.
Turn right onto 3rd Street South at 43.801N & -91.253W walking past the “World’s Largest Six Pack” at 43.803N & -91.253W at Citi Brewery. Continue heading north along 3 rd Street South and turn left heading west onto Cameron Avenue at 43.808N & -91.254W. This takes you along the Cemeron Avenue Bridge across the Mississippi River. There’s ample places for good photography along the bridge.
There’s an underpass connecting the Cameron Avenue Bridge to the Cass Street Bridge just beyond South Pettibone Drive, take it. Continue heading east along the Cass Street Bridge. Lots of good spots along there to get good pictures of the city of La Crosse.
Turn left heading north along 3rd Street South at 43.809N & -91.253W and then left at 43.810N & -91.253W heading west along King Street. This takes you right down to the riverfront. From here you’d simply walk along the Mississippi River heading north. Check out the Riverfront International Friendship Gardens at 43.818N & -91.255W. There’s a lot to see and do in there.
Continue walking along the paved footpath to the Marsh Trail Trailhead. It’s at 43.819N & - 91.253W. It’s clearly labelled. There’s a trail map to choose the trail you want to explore. I chose to follow on the trail that goes out to Onalaska across the Old La Crosse Railroad Bridge at 43.819N & -91.254W. That paved trail winds its way around a section of the marsh where there’s a lot of interesting wildlife. This trail crosses 3rd Street North at 43.820N & -91.249W and continues along merging with the Jim Asfoor Trail going to Monitor Street skirting the La Crosse River.
I walked south along 3rd Street North and turned left heading east along La Crosse Street at 43.817N & -91.249W. You might consider stopping at the Historic Hixon House Museum on Badger and 7th Street North at 43.816N & -91.247W. There’s a few eating joints along La Crosse Street that one can try. Continue heading east along La Crosse Street and turn right onto 16th Street North at 43.818N & -91.232W to get back to the campus and your starting point.
If you do this loop my suggestion is early morning or late evening, not mid-day. Traffic and lack of foliage cover is an issue along much of the route. The marsh can be buggy so insect repellent is a good idea.
Happy Trails.